Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-05-13
Y. M. G. A.
Proceedings of the International Co,

Proceedings of the International Con-
notwithstanding Statistical Report.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 12th.-The Conven-
ton was opened this morning with Vice.
President Willard, of Vermont in the
chair. After brief religious exercises, a
paper on " State Work; What it Has Been
What it Is and What it Should Be-" was
read by S. A. Taggart, General Secretary
of Pennsylvania. The present system OF
State organization was first attempted in
1871, and has been a great success. In ex-
pressing the opinions formed by expert
ment and thorough trial. Mr.. Taggart be-
lieved that in all cases while State organi-
cation was advised, yet paid State Secreta-
ries were not needed. He thought in
certain cases two States would do better to
combine and together employ an efficient
Secretary. He remarked as his observa-
tons on the work designated that people in
a city could not, generally, and should not
be relied upon as a whole to sustain the
work. A dozen men who are willing to
do" are worth more than whole city
full who are willing and glad to see Others
go forward TO do the work. A single sent
ence may embody the speakers opinion OF
State work as a whole. 1t is to help sep
arate Associations to help themselves
There should be no ambition to multiply
Associations for the sake of extending the
list.
In the discussion on the theme, Rober,
Weidensall, of Chicago, spoke briefly. He
differed somewhat from Mr. Taggart rela.
tive to the employment of State Secretaries
for Association work. He thought all new
States should have State Secretaries imme.
diately to push the work, even before there
were any great number of Associations
The right kind of q man, energetic and
knowing, could reach, through his efforts
nearly every young man in the State. He
favored. also, county organizations, with
county Secretaries to do organizing work.
w. E. Lewis, of Wisconsin, favored State
Secretaries. A State Secretary is needed as
much to prevent organizations as to form
them.
Mr.. Murphy of Leadville, said the result
OF his observations in the mining camp:
was that the young men work better with.
out many organizations.
The most interesting report submitted
thus far is the statistical report presented
by Major Hardie showing the growth Of
the Associations work. 1t was stated tina,
the eleventh annual Convention of the
Association of the United States and the
British Provinces convened at ALBANY in
June, 1866. AT that time the Association
owned but one building which was located
in Chicago and valued at Sill 600. In the
past year Conventions have been held in
thirty-two States, and in New York, where
in 1867 only eighteen delegates represented
ten Associations, last February sol dele.
gates represented 80 Associations. During
| the past two years the increase in the mum.
Der of Association buildings has been
fOrty-six, with a total value of Sl1SO..
$50, and a large proportion of these are
| in the smaller cities. Two are for College
Associations. one at Yale and the other al
the University College of Toronto. A sum.
mary of the statistical reports received by
the committee shows that III associations
own buildings valued at 81, IA, OSo; fifty
three have other real estate worth S766.-
$50; making a total valuation of S., $40,
$50. One hundred and twenty-six build
ings have gymnasiums attached, and
fifty-seven have other means of physical
culture. There are 205 College Associa-
tons in existence. The most advance
during the past two years has been made
in the Southern States. The report closed
with several recommendations, among
which is that the fund annually placed at
the disposal of the committee be increased
to $4,000 in view of the magnitude and
inheritance of the work